Respiratory Distress Syndrome In Infants

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), which used to be called hyaline membrane disease, is one of the most common problems of premature babies. It can cause babies to need extra oxygen and help breathing.

The cause of illness with respiratory distress syndrome depends on the size and gestational age of the baby, the severity of the disease, the presence of infection, whether or not a baby has a patent a heart condition, and whether or not the baby needs mechanical help to breathe. RDS typically worsens over the first 48 to 72 hours, then improves with treatment.

Research on Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome have shown that the onset of ARDS can be as rapid as few hours, but it can have a gradual onset with evolution of clinical features over 1 to 5 days.

The evolution of clinical signs depends on the type, acuity, and severity of the initial insult.

Studies have also revealed that respiratory distress, agitation and hypoxemia could present other initial clinical features at this stage.

There are insufficient data to support any specific age for “adult” acute respiratory distress syndrome compared with “pediatric” acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, children with prenatal-related respiratory failure should be excluded from the definition of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.

According to doctor Anya Samuel in Abuja, there are hardly any way to prevent some of the complication associated with respiratory problem that arise at the cause of a pregnancy, he observed that when an

infant could be said to have this might be between the end of the second to the third trimester when they have to come prematurely in most cases.

He also noted that the best way out is to get a professional in the field to ensure the case is managed for the baby to survive as respiratory issues often come with uncertainties and as a result are a leading cause in premature babies.

He noted that there might be early signs of complications that might manifest only latter in the course of the pregnancy.

These concerns have prompted various researches and investigation by Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference on respiratory problems associated with infants. The general findings are that it is uncertain at what stage in a pregnancy this problem can arise but constant checks for specifically predisposing factors, to offer recommendations regarding therapeutic support of the patient with PARDS; and to identify priorities for future research in PARDS, including defining short- and long-term outcomes of interest dominated discussions at the conference.

The conclusion of reports from Consensus Conference developed by pediatric-specific definitions for acute respiratory distress syndrome and recommendations regarding treatment and future research priorities clearly shows areas intended to promote optimization and consistency of care for children with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome and identify areas of uncertainty requiring further investigation.

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